Building an infrastructure pipeline

The Marshall Liberal Government will deliver a record level of General Government Infrastructure spending in 2018-19, building a significant pipeline of infrastructure works to grow the economy and create more jobs.

The 2018-19 State Budget will deliver a $3.1 billion investment in infrastructure in 2018-19 and an expected $11.3 billion investment over the forward estimates.

The Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure will deliver $3.4 billion in capital works over the forward estimates, with major projects to include:

“The Marshall Government is ensuring that South Australia has a strong pipeline of productive infrastructure projects to grow our economy and support local jobs,” Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government Stephan Knoll said.

“The new State Government’s $11.3 billion infrastructure spend over the next four years will provide industry and workers with a great level of certainty and illustrates that South Australia has a significant pipeline of infrastructure works.

“These various projects will help ease traffic congestion, improve our public transport network and provide more efficient and effective freight infrastructure.

“The previous Labor administration left the cupboard bare when it came to business case development for key infrastructure projects.

“That’s why the Marshall Government is allocating $5.5 million to complete the business case for the remaining sections of the North-South Corridor and $20 million to develop the GlobeLink business case.

“One of our key infrastructure priorities will be the completion of the North-South Corridor to finish the continuous 78 kilometre corridor between Old Noarlunga and Gawler.

“The new State Government is doing the work that Labor failed to do to develop a pipeline of shovel ready projects that will support growth and create jobs.”

In order to meet the $715 million savings task by 2021-22 left by the former Labor government and to deliver the new State Government’s priorities, the 2018-19 State Budget includes the following savings measures in the Transport, Infrastructure andLocal Government portfolio:

$8.2 million saving in 2018-19 and $11.9 million per annum (indexed) from 2019-20 from operating efficiencies. This will be achieved partly through rationalisation of lower priority services, including a reduction in the Living Neighbourhoods and On The Right Track programs, grants provided to local councils for cycling paths, and the Tall Ships program.

$18.8 million in savings across the forward estimates through Service SA efficiencies. This measure will involve a review of the branch network and service demand levels to identify opportunities to improve efficiency. Changes will be made to increase the digitisation processes, improve the availability of online services, and implement cost recovery for merchant fees. As a result,the Mitcham, Prospect and Modbury Service SA centres are earmarked for closure, with the possibility of further closures.

$1.1 million in savings in 2018-19, increasing to $14.8 million per annum (indexed) from 2019-20 through a review of public transport services. As a consequence, some bus routes with low patronage will be discontinued.

$3 million in savings over the forward estimates through the closure of the Office of the Commissioner for Kangaroo Island.

$500,000 in savings in 2018-19, increasing to $1 million per annum (indexed) from 2019-20 through reforms to the Across Government Facilities Management Arrangement (AGFMA) and negotiating benefits for government office accommodation contracts.